Mega incomes say something

A perusal of Forbes’ annual almanac of wealth, shows 1,810 billionaires worth an aggregate net worth of $6.5 trillion, with both numbers down from 1,826 a year ago and $570 billion less than in 2015. What a chunk of money that is and it is divided into five areas: the United States, Europe, Middle East and Africa, The Americas (including Canada) and Asia-Pacific.

The United States leads the list with 540 billionaires worth a total of $2.4 trillion, followed by Europe’s 489 billionaires worth $1.8 trillion and Asia-Pacific’s 590 billionaires worth a total of $1.6 trillion.

The Americas, including Canada, shows 101 billionaires whose total worth is $410 billion. First thoughts of many people when the Middle East and Africa are mentioned is the prevailing display of poverty shown on national television. There are 90 billionaires worth a total of $243 billion there.

Charts, stories by countries, photos of individuals, yachts, and some of their mansions, and other information add to the intrigue.

Bill Gates leads the list at $75 billion after losing $4.2 billion in 2016. Warren Buffett is third with net worth of $60.8 billion, down from $72.7 the previous year.

In the 30 years Forbes has traced the world’s richest, Bill Gates has been at the top of the list 17 times. One familiar family name, Walton, shows Jim’s net worth at $33.6 billion; Alice at $32.3 billion and S. Robertson worth $31.9 billion. Other Waltons can be found in the annual Forbes issue.

Donald Trump is listed among the rich at $4.5 billion. The list of names would take pages and pages, taking a look at the 2016 edition of Forbes 30th Annual Almanac of Wealth.